he ran unsuccessfully for the united states senate, and has worked as an operative for a who's-who of republican candidates. he was a political assistant to spiro agnew. he has had key roles in the presidential campaigns of ronald reagan, george h.w. bush, and robert dole. he has been a fellow at the kennedy center harvard institute of politics. so much for biography. now on to the exciting matters of process. we are on the record. no filing of any kind while the breakfast is underway. there is no embargo when the breakfast is underway except that c-span has agreed not to use video until after it the breakfast has ended. i tell guests that despite major changes in the news business, the breakfast group remains committed to conversations between newsmakers and journalists. your help is appreciated on mornings when guests are at the center of a controversial issue, as our guest is. on the front page of "the wall street journal" this morning, a lovely color picture. if you would like to ask a question, do the traditional thing and send me a subtle signal and i would do my best to call on